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Chapter 5 · Verse 1 · Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 5.1

contemplative Karma & Action Attachment & Letting Go Moksha & Liberation

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि। यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्िचतम्।।5.1।।

Transliteration

arjuna uvācha sannyāsaṁ karmaṇāṁ kṛiṣhṇa punar yogaṁ cha śhansasi yach chhreya etayor ekaṁ tan me brūhi su-niśhchitam

Word by Word

arjunaḥ uvācha Arjun said
sanyāsam renunciation
karmaṇām of actions
kṛiṣhṇa Shree Krishna
punaḥ again
yogam about karm yog
cha also
śhansasi you praise
yat which
śhreyaḥ more beneficial
etayoḥ of the two
ekam one
tat that
me unto me
brūhi please tell
su-niśhchitam conclusively
Simplified Perspective

Arjuna stands at the threshold where two ancient paths converge—the austere renunciation of the sannyasi who abandons all action, and the luminous karma yoga of the householder who acts without attachment. His question cuts to the heart of every spiritual seeker: which way liberates the soul?

Krishna's answer, which unfolds through this yoga, reveals that the distinction dissolves when action flows from inner freedom rather than outer circumstance. For us today, this means recognizing that you need not flee your responsibilities to find peace—peace comes from transforming your relationship to what you do, whether you're in an ashram or managing a family and career.

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Bhagavad Gita 5.1 — BG 5.1

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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